How to Get Started in College Sports in Des Moines: A Practical Guide for Athletes and Families

DES MOINES, For anyone looking to get involved in college sports in the Des Moines area, the path starts earlier than many realize-often at the high school level, where athletes can build the skills and credentials needed for collegiate competition.

With the fall sports season just weeks away, now is the time for student-athletes and adults alike to understand the requirements, deadlines, and options available. Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) fields teams across 17 high school sports, including football, volleyball, cross country, swimming, wrestling, basketball, track, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and softball. Those sports are offered at five high schools: East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Central.

High School Eligibility: What You Need to Know Before Tryouts

Before a student can take the field, DMPS requires a completed annual physical exam, sports registration, and a signed concussion form. There is a $15 registration fee per student. Most high school athletes in the district must clear these steps before the first practice. Nine Des Moines-area schools compete in the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML), which offers 21 sports and operates at the 5A classification level for the largest schools. North High School left the CIML in 2021 to join the Iowa Alliance Conference, which includes 10 other schools. East, Hoover, and Lincoln remain in the CIML.

DMPS is currently investing approximately $15 million in new synthetic turf fields and eight-lane competitive tracks at East, Hoover, Lincoln, and North high schools. Those upgrades are intended to improve facilities for athletes and may also make the district more attractive to college recruiters.

Adult Recreational Leagues: Low-Pressure Ways to Stay Competitive

College sports aren’t just for students. Adults looking to stay active or transition from high school or college athletics have several options in Des Moines. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation department runs year-round adult community sports leagues, including fast-pitch softball, men's and women's basketball, coed sand volleyball, flag football, bean bag, and indoor wiffle ball.

For those seeking a more inclusive environment, the Pride Sports League of Central Iowa, a Des Moines-based nonprofit founded in 2012, provides recreational and competitive sports for the LGBTQ community. It offers year-round indoor volleyball, softball, basketball, dodgeball, and a free running club. The Des Moines Roller Derby also welcomes new participants year-round, and the Des Moines Rugby Club hosts a women's team that practices in West Des Moines.

Central Iowa Coed Soccer (CICS) runs Iowa’s largest recreational coed soccer league, with fields in Des Moines and West Des Moines, including at the Midamerican Energy Company RecPlex. For families with younger children, i9 Sports has offered community-based youth sports leagues for ages 3 and up in Des Moines since 2009, covering flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

No matter the sport or skill level, the key is to plan ahead. High school athletes should schedule physicals and complete registration before the season starts. Adults can register for most leagues online or in person at the respective organization’s website.

With the summer transfer window open and fall tryouts approaching, there’s no better time to lace up and get in the game.